Model year record

1995 Kia Sportage

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 88 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V216000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
189,706
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-16
Owners notified
2002-12-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V073000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,319
Reported to NHTSA
1995-04-11
Owners notified
1995-04-24

Defect description

THE NUTS ATTACHING THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINERS AND BRAKE BACKING PLATES TO THE REAR AXLE HOUSING MAY BE UNDER- TORQUED CAUSING THESE UNITS TO LOOSEN OR FALL OFF.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE (1) OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE REAR BRAKE AND ONTO THE BRAKE LININGS; (2) REAR BRAKE DAMAGE FROM THE AXLE NUTSFALLING INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS; OR (3) SEPARATION OF THE REAR WHEEL/AXLESHAFT FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETORQUE THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINER NUTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
Electrical system: horn4
Engine and engine cooling: engine4
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor4114,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Structure: body: door4
Suspension: front4
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3
Visibility: windshield3
Tires2
Unknown or other2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling1109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle hubs1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Wheels1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.